The price tag being attached to Zac Bailey’s name must be increasing by the day, as the Brisbane Lions’ sensation produced a masterclass to extend his side’s winning run to seven.
The Gabba became the 26-year-old’s stomping ground once again as the two-time defending champions conquered Port Adelaide 19.12 (129) to 9.13 (67).
The off-contract Bailey, who is being headhunted by Adelaide and reportedly weighing up a multi-million dollar long-term deal to make the move, was a man on a Sunday afternoon mission – kicking three goals and finishing with 26 disposals.
In a clash which largely became a seesawing tussle for ascendancy in the first half, Brisbane’s class ultimately proved to be too much for a young Power outfit to overcome, with Bailey’s third-quarter surge building the momentum needed to keep their rivals at arm’s length.
It began as the Will Ashcroft show, whose deft dribble through traffic for the contest’s first goal was swiftly followed by an assist for Kai Lohmann’s first of two majors.
Ashcroft continued his knack for producing memorable moments by kicking his second from a tight set shot angle as the three-quarter time siren sounded, before emerging from the break with a pair of goal assists for Logan Morris and Eric Hipwood.
Those moments sparked a fourth-quarter onslaught, kicking seven goals to two, after only leading by nine points at halftime – an incredible Charlie Cameron mark to kick his second goal in his 200th Lions appearance the moment of the term, before he added a third from a set shot.
During the rare moments Ashcroft was kept contained – still finishing with 30 touches – Bailey took charge.
His speed was a constant nightmare for Port Adelaide, but it was his support play that was equally pivotal – lurking near a spoil and launching a 50-metre angled shot for his second goal, a far more impressive effort than his uncontested mark in the opening term for his first.
It was not long before he had his third, as Cam Rayner – who produced two magic goals through contests of his own – shrugged off a tackle and found a handball for his superstar teammate to strike cleanly.
While superstar Lachie Neale was kept relatively quiet, the Ashcroft-Bailey combination kept the Power guessing and signalled that this team had endless ways to win and pile on the pressure.
Is the McCluggage of old back?
Josh Dunkley teased during the week that Hugh McCluggage was closing in on the sort of performance which typified his career-best 2025 campaign, having spent plenty of time on the sidelines to nurse a calf issue sustained back in Opening Round.
“It’s obviously tough being injury interrupted and trying to manage all those different things, but we know Hughy’s best is not too far away,” Dunkley said.
“Last preseason [leading into 2025] he actually missed a lot of it, and came back and had one of his best years ever, so I’m sure he got a few lessons from that experience.
“I think he’s not too far away from being that dominant player we know he can be.”
Dunkley’s premonition ended up being bang on the money, with producing his most involved performance of the season as the Power sought to lock down his midfield teammate, Lachie Neale.
McCluggage’s 29 possessions were his most in a game this year, and he added a goal to his resume when he was left unmarked inside 50.
What was perhaps most pleasing about his outing was the amount of work he did in contest, and he appeared to be moving more freely than he has at any point in 2026.
It is an ominous sign for the rest of the competition as Brisbane cemented their standing in the top four. They were winning without getting the best out of the All Australian, but if they start doing so now, even the ladder-leading Dockers will be watching of their shoulder.
Will Oscar add a new layer to Lions’ assault?
While the Lions have restored their ambitions for a third-straight flag on the back of what is now a seventh-straight win, they may be about to get stronger still.
Prized off season recruit Oscar Allen has not been sighted in a Brisbane jumper for roughly three months after suffering a foot fracture in the round seven battle with Adelaide, but his performance in reserve grade will come as a relief to coach Chris Fagan.
Fagan hinted during the week Allen’s rain-effected comeback through the VFL last week was a difficult gauge on whether he was fit enough to line up in the top level, but the former West Coast captain’s two goals and 10 disposals against North Melbourne would no doubt be a relieving sight.
Young forward Logan Morris has been a consistent pillar up front for the premiers this season, and he took his season goal tally to 47 with a three-goal haul on Sunday.
But should Allen force his way back into the fold, it will simply add another layer to this Brisbane attack which is gathering momentum.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
